A Saudi writer, Mohammed Al Rottayan, offered this advice in one of his books:
You can tour the world without getting out of your house!
You can be acquainted with famous figures without seeing them!
You can posses a time machine and travel to all time ... even though such a device does not exist!
You can feel the frost of Moscow, smell the flowers of Amsterdam!
You can do all these things and more, through one process: reading.
Those who do not read ... do not grasp the beauty of life.
Let there always be a new book awaiting you next to your bed.
Such soothing words!
One of the many joys of my life is getting home after work and reading my book in my favorite spot in the backyard. When I start reading, I get so engrossed that I forget my surroundings. I have only the world I step into.
My favorite genres are those about cultures, comparative religions, psychology, politics and philosophy. I don't like reading romance novels because they give me false hope about love and life.
The only romantic novel I read was by Paulo Coelho – By the River Peidra I Sat Down and Wept. I can summarise the story in one sentence, although the book has about 180 pages. "So this hot guy meets this hot girl, and after overcoming so many obstacles they are together."
The end. I like Coelho's writing, but I did not care for this particular book.
During a recent family gathering, I was telling my sisters about the lack of public libraries for book lovers and students. This country gives birth to shopping malls every year (at times, every month), I said. As usual, their reaction was: "Please hush her up".
I am aware that even in this day and age, not many Arabs are inclined toward reading because Arabs are known as people of the ear, rather than people of the book. We have an oral tradition of storytelling. Like the Arabic language scholar Michael Zwettler once said: "In the ancient times, when writing was scarcely used, memory and oral transmission was exercised and strengthened to a degree now almost unknown". Even today, many Arabs fit that description.
Nonetheless, I have come across many people who have this eagerness to spout out about their latest read. The dilemma book lovers face is that not many others understand their attachment to books and characters. Usually such people end up talking to themselves about their good read, thus being their own best friend, like myself. Am I making any sense?
I have this strong urge to share what I read with more book fan club.
A few days ago, a friend of mine was asking if there were any public libraries where she could study quietly. A mother of two, my friend is pursuing her Master's in Dubai and is finding it difficult to study around her children.
Even though the growing numbers of malls helps the tourism industry thrive, there are also community needs to be met. One of these needs is more public libraries.
Malls have become like mini buses – there is one on every corner. Soon, Yas Mall is going to open its doors and it is doubtful there will be a reading room in it.
When I went to the Galleria Mall for the first time, I was impressed by the large, well-embellished shops with cafes. Meanwhile, I was shocked at the large dead spaces that weren't used more efficiently. We are living in an era where reading is being replaced with the latest technology and audio books.
I was wondering since shopping malls have recently added bucket loads of entertainment in one place, why not incorporate a public library? This way, while families are shopping or watching a movie, the bookworms can reap the joy of reading.
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre flat-six
Torque: 450Nm at 6,100rpm
Transmission: 7-speed PDK auto or 6-speed manual
Fuel economy, combined: 13.8L/100km
On sale: Available to order now
ESSENTIALS
The flights
Emirates flies from Dubai to Phnom Penh via Yangon from Dh2,700 return including taxes. Cambodia Bayon Airlines and Cambodia Angkor Air offer return flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap from Dh250 return including taxes. The flight takes about 45 minutes.
The hotels
Rooms at the Raffles Le Royal in Phnom Penh cost from $225 (Dh826) per night including taxes. Rooms at the Grand Hotel d'Angkor cost from $261 (Dh960) per night including taxes.
The tours
A cyclo architecture tour of Phnom Penh costs from $20 (Dh75) per person for about three hours, with Khmer Architecture Tours. Tailor-made tours of all of Cambodia, or sites like Angkor alone, can be arranged by About Asia Travel. Emirates Holidays also offers packages.
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
The specs
Engine: 4.0-litre V8 twin-turbocharged and three electric motors
Power: Combined output 920hp
Torque: 730Nm at 4,000-7,000rpm
Transmission: 8-speed dual-clutch automatic
Fuel consumption: 11.2L/100km
On sale: Now, deliveries expected later in 2025
Price: expected to start at Dh1,432,000
COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Sebastian Stefan, Sebastian Morar and Claudia Pacurar
Based: Dubai, UAE
Founded: 2014
Number of employees: 36
Sector: Logistics
Raised: $2.5 million
Investors: DP World, Prime Venture Partners and family offices in Saudi Arabia and the UAE
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%3Cp%3E%3Cstrong%3EEngine%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E2.0-litre%204cyl%20turbo%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPower%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E261hp%20at%205%2C500rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETorque%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E400Nm%20at%201%2C750-4%2C000rpm%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3ETransmission%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E7-speed%20dual-clutch%20auto%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EFuel%20consumption%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3E10.5L%2F100km%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EOn%20sale%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3ENow%0D%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EPrice%3A%20%3C%2Fstrong%3EFrom%20Dh129%2C999%20(VX%20Luxury)%3B%20from%20Dh149%2C999%20(VX%20Black%20Gold)%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
Countries offering golden visas
UK
Innovator Founder Visa is aimed at those who can demonstrate relevant experience in business and sufficient investment funds to set up and scale up a new business in the UK. It offers permanent residence after three years.
Germany
Investing or establishing a business in Germany offers you a residence permit, which eventually leads to citizenship. The investment must meet an economic need and you have to have lived in Germany for five years to become a citizen.
Italy
The scheme is designed for foreign investors committed to making a significant contribution to the economy. Requires a minimum investment of €250,000 which can rise to €2 million.
Switzerland
Residence Programme offers residence to applicants and their families through economic contributions. The applicant must agree to pay an annual lump sum in tax.
Canada
Start-Up Visa Programme allows foreign entrepreneurs the opportunity to create a business in Canada and apply for permanent residence.
THE SPECS
Engine: 3.6-litre V6
Transmission: nine-speed automatic
Power: 310hp
Torque: 366Nm
Price: Dh200,000
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NO OTHER LAND
Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal
Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham
Rating: 3.5/5
The specs
Price, base / as tested Dh135,000
Engine 1.6L turbo
Gearbox Six speed automatic with manual and sports mode
Power 165hp @ 6,000rpm
Torque 240Nm @ 1,400rpm 0-100kph: 9.2 seconds
Top speed 420 kph (governed)
Fuel economy, combined 35.2L / 100km (est)
TECH%20SPECS%3A%20APPLE%20WATCH%20SERIES%208
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The specs
- Engine: 3.9-litre twin-turbo V8
- Power: 640hp
- Torque: 760nm
- On sale: 2026
- Price: Not announced yet
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The biog
Name: Mariam Ketait
Emirate: Dubai
Hobbies: I enjoy travelling, experiencing new things, painting, reading, flying, and the French language
Favourite quote: "Be the change you wish to see" - unknown
Favourite activity: Connecting with different cultures
Company%20profile
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Specs
Engine: Dual-motor all-wheel-drive electric
Range: Up to 610km
Power: 905hp
Torque: 985Nm
Price: From Dh439,000
Available: Now
Ferrari 12Cilindri specs
Engine: naturally aspirated 6.5-liter V12
Power: 819hp
Torque: 678Nm at 7,250rpm
Price: From Dh1,700,000
Available: Now
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UAE squad to face Ireland
Ahmed Raza (captain), Chirag Suri (vice-captain), Rohan Mustafa, Mohammed Usman, Mohammed Boota, Zahoor Khan, Junaid Siddique, Waheed Ahmad, Zawar Farid, CP Rizwaan, Aryan Lakra, Karthik Meiyappan, Alishan Sharafu, Basil Hameed, Kashif Daud, Adithya Shetty, Vriitya Aravind
VEZEETA PROFILE
Date started: 2012
Founder: Amir Barsoum
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: HealthTech / MedTech
Size: 300 employees
Funding: $22.6 million (as of September 2018)
Investors: Technology Development Fund, Silicon Badia, Beco Capital, Vostok New Ventures, Endeavour Catalyst, Crescent Enterprises’ CE-Ventures, Saudi Technology Ventures and IFC
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
COMPANY PROFILE
● Company: Bidzi
● Started: 2024
● Founders: Akshay Dosaj and Asif Rashid
● Based: Dubai, UAE
● Industry: M&A
● Funding size: Bootstrapped
● No of employees: Nine
